9-30-09 Reds vs Cards

[_Sir_Charles_]

Lineup (per Fay):

Drew Stubbs cf
Paul Janish ss
Joey Votto 1b
Brandon Phillips 2b
Scott Rolen 3b
Jay Bruce rf
Laynce Nix lf
Ryan Hanigan c
Bronson Arroyo p

vs. RH John Smoltz (1-2, 3.18)

Justin Lehr will start tomorrow. Matt Maloney had been scheduled but he’s still bothered by that blister on his left middle finger.

~has anybody heard anything about Gomes? He's played only twice in the past 7 games. Illness? Injury?

[_Sir_Charles_]

11 straight starts by Bronson where he's gone 7 innings or more with allowing 3 runs or less. If he gets the 12th, it'll be the first time in Reds history. Say what you want about Bronson, but he's been dominant in the second half. I'm not sure there's been a better duo than Bronson & Homer of late.

Schumaker K's to start the game.

[nate]

Chat is open for this exciting, late season matchup!

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson is awesome. :)

Howdy from my little corner of the world! ;)

[HeatherC1212]

Nice first inning for Bronson and boy did Brandon look surprised when that Big Al grounder ended up in his glove, LOL :laugh:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Darn! I thought it was another leadoff dinger. Stubbs drive caught at the wall.

[HeatherC1212]

Wow, Stubbs nearly had another lead off HR! So close!! :eek:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Two down, trade-bait coming to the plate.

*ducks the hurled objects from Heather* :O)

[HeatherC1212]

*throws a very large brick at SirCharles* ;)

[HeatherC1212]

Double for Joey!! :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

Woohoo! Who'd thunk it? A double by Votto. He's just incredible.

Team record for Votto. Most doubles in one month. EVER.

Could we actually see 2 team records fall in one game?

[HeatherC1212]

Jeff Brantley must not watch the AL very often because Oriole 2B Brian Roberts has been a doubles machine for most of his career and is sitting on FIFTY SIX of them right now. Jeff, get out a little more buddy! ;)

Not that I mind Joey setting more records and becoming even more awesome though! :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brandon pops out to right. Okay, we didn't score...but it looks like we're getting good wood on Smoltzie. That's a good sign.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I thought I heard that Brian Roberts is just about the break the season doubles record (by Biggio I think it was).

[HeatherC1212]

Smoltz really has had an incredible career. I've always liked him and it would be nice to see him end his career on a happier note than it would have had it ended after his stint with the RS.

[Chip R]

I thought I heard that Brian Roberts is just about the break the season doubles record (by Biggio I think it was).

I think that's just for switch hitters. The record is 67 in 1931.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bronson's on cruise control. 1-2-3 again. Lightning quick too.

[Brutus]

I thought I heard that Brian Roberts is just about the break the season doubles record (by Biggio I think it was).

It's the doubles record by a switch hitter that he's about to break, I think.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I think that's just for switch hitters. The record is 67 in 1931.

Ah, that's what it was. Thanks. Impressive regardless.

[HeatherC1212]

I thought I heard that Brian Roberts is just about the break the season doubles record (by Biggio I think it was).

He did it last night! :D He broke the season doubles record by a switch hitter and he's only five doubles away from beating the all time (I think) record of 60 doubles in one season which was set back in 1936. That would be SO cool! :thumbup:

And dang, that last half inning went by faster than I could type out that paragraph, LMAO :lol:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Smoltz really has had an incredible career. I've always liked him and it would be nice to see him end his career on a happier note than it would have had it ended after his stint with the RS.

Agreed. I just never liked him when WE faced him. It just doesn't feel right for him to not retire as a Brave though. Glavine & Maddux too.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Leadoff walk by Rolen.

[HeatherC1212]

Here's the article from orioles.com about the switch hitter doubles record (http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090929&content_id=7229156&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal)

Sorry it took me so long to find it. My internet decided to be a tool. :p:

Relavent part where I got the 1936 comment:


The 31-year-old has an outside chance to be the first big league player in more than 70 years to hit 60 doubles. The last player -- Charlie Gehringer in 1936 -- also set the all-time record (60) for second baseman, giving Roberts another target.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Back to back walks from Smoltz. Rolen & Bruce on.

[HeatherC1212]

Agreed. I just never liked him when WE faced him. It just doesn't feel right for him to not retire as a Brave though. Glavine & Maddux too.

I agree. He may not retire as a Brave but I hope he'll go into the HOF as a Brave. That's where he had the most success and where I think his heart still is regarding his whole career.

[_Sir_Charles_]

CRUD! Soooooo close. Sure fire dinger from Nix, just foul. 1 for his last 18 (1 hit was HR).

[SirFelixCat]

What's the story w/ Gomes?!?


Watching Nix is kinda painful after watching Bruce make a fantastic AB.

[Brutus]

Very impressed with Bruce's approach since returning. Very impressed.

[_Sir_Charles_]

What's the story w/ Gomes?!?


Watching Nix is kinda painful after watching Bruce make a fantastic AB.

I was wondering the exact same thing. 2 games he's appeared in out of the last 7. Not starting...just appearing. I'm thinking illness or something of the sort.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Nix K'd by the way.

[HeatherC1212]

I haven't heard anything bad about Gomes healthwise or other wise. They interviewed him during Reds Live and he seemed fine so I have no clue why he's not playing tonight.

[Brutus]

I was wondering the exact same thing. 2 games he's appeared in out of the last 7. Not starting...just appearing. I'm thinking illness or something of the sort.

Just Dusty being Dusty.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Woo Hoo! Bloop single by Hanigan. 1-0 Redlegs

[HeatherC1212]

Smoltz doesn't look comfortable tonight.

GO ROLEN to roll right into home on that single by Hanigan! :)

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson gets a hit! :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

Woo Hoo! Another bloop single. This one by Bronson. Bases loaded for Stubby! 1 down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

2-0 Reds after Smoltz walks in a run. This is not the John Smoltz I'm used to seeing. All over the place.

[HeatherC1212]

And we're walking...yes indeed, we're walking....:D

[HeatherC1212]

This game may go all night at this pace. :eek:

COME ON JOEY.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Janish strikes out. 2 down. Votto up.

[SirFelixCat]

GREAT baserunning by Rolen there. Props.

1-0 good guys!

[HeatherC1212]

Joey having a great at bat here.....

[_Sir_Charles_]

Smoltz with 100 pitches in the inning. Sure seems like it.

[HeatherC1212]

Dang it. :( (I think it was only 90 pitches. ;))

[_Sir_Charles_]

Pop out to end the inning. 2-0 Redlegs.

Nice to score 2, but I think we should feel rather unfortunate there. Should've been more. 3 walks, 2 hits...probably should've done more damage.

[_Sir_Charles_]

19 pitches for Bronson
54 for Smoltz.

[SirFelixCat]

Gomes...anyone?

[_Sir_Charles_]

LaRue grounds out to Rolen

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bath-time for my daughters...somebody'll have to take over PBP

[HeatherC1212]

Gomes...anyone?

There's no news or at least, no one here has heard anything. *shrugs* :confused:

LOL @ Marty still wanting his money :laugh:

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson K's Smoltz and he's now retired nine in a row. Onto the bottom of the 3rd inning. I can handle the PBP for a little while. L&O: SVU doesn't start for an hour. ;)

[HeatherC1212]

Brandon takes a walk.

[Brutus]

Bronson K's Smoltz and he's now retired nine in a row. Onto the bottom of the 3rd inning. I can handle the PBP for a little while. L&O: SVU doesn't start for an hour. ;)

Guest star Eric McCormack.

Very excited for this episode.

[HeatherC1212]

Rolen hits a double and now its second and third with no one out. COME ON REDS!

[HeatherC1212]

Guest star Eric McCormack.

Very excited for this episode.

Me too! I love that show. I'm kind of glad baseball only has a few more days because my fave shows are starting to come back on and they're all on during game times, LOL :laugh:

[HeatherC1212]

Jay Bruce takes a walk and now the bases are loaded for Nix. Can we get a few more runs in this time with the bases loaded?! :eek:

[HeatherC1212]

Random conference on the pitcher's mound and now it seems like they're talking about the baseballs. I have no clue what in the world is going on there.

[HeatherC1212]

This would be a great time for Nix to show some patience since Smoltz can't seem to find the K zone again....

[WVRedsFan]

Gomes...anyone?

Just dropped in. I've asked this question the last few night with basically no answer from anyone. The Reds now have the bases loaded with no one out and who do you have up? Nix, Hannigan and Arroyo. I'd like Gomes in there, but you know how it is...

[HeatherC1212]

Smoltz looks like he can't get warm or something and he just threw away a ball towards the Reds dugout rather hard.

NIX HITS A GRAND SLAM!!!!!!!!!!! :jump:

[nate]

NAYNCE LIX! Grand Slam!

[Degenerate39]

I saw that coming

[HeatherC1212]

First guy to congratulate Laynce....my fave guy Joey! That was just as awesome as the GS for me, LOL :D

[WVRedsFan]

Hammered!

Still like to see Gomes in the game.

[HeatherC1212]

This could be another night where every guy in the Reds lineup gets to hit like six times, LOL :laugh:

I'm still confused on what was going on with Duncan, Smoltz, LaRussa, the umpires, and the baseballs. :confused:

[HeatherC1212]

They must have set off half the fireworks after that GS because boy is it smokey on the field right now, LOL :laugh:

[Brutus]

NAYNCE LIX! Grand Slam!

Is this pig latin? :beerme:

[_Sir_Charles_]

And yes, I saw it. MLB network live look-in is a beautiful thing.

They're debating the quality of the balls. Bronson sure hasn't had any problem with the balls. Quit whining Smoltz.

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson Ks for the second out. Hanigan grounded out to SS for the first out.

[WVRedsFan]

This could be another night where every guy in the Reds lineup gets to hit like six times, LOL :laugh:

I'm still confused on what was going on with Duncan, Smoltz, LaRussa, the umpires, and the baseballs. :confused: You and everyone else, Heather. Has to be something about the balls, but you would think that question would be posed when Arroyo was on the mound. Strange.

[HeatherC1212]

Wow, that's a LONG time to not have walked five or more guys in a game (it was 1995 the last time he did that). I think Smoltz just isn't warm and isn't comfortable tonight but that's just my observation from my desk chair. ;)

[_Sir_Charles_]

This could be another night where every guy in the Reds lineup gets to hit like six times, LOL :laugh:

I'm still confused on what was going on with Duncan, Smoltz, LaRussa, the umpires, and the baseballs. :confused:

They were complaining that the balls weren't properly rubbed down and wanted a new batch. It's the same batch Bronson's sitting you guys down with. Don't see the problem.

[Degenerate39]

First guy to congratulate Laynce....my fave guy Joey! That was just as awesome as the GS for me, LOL :D

That's it were getting Joey a restraining order ;)

[HeatherC1212]

I love that the Reds guys are all checking out the random baseball that Smoltz threw at their dugout. :laugh:

Drew with another infield hit! :D

[nate]

Whoa, Stubbs = fast.

[SirFelixCat]

Stubbs = Wow!

[WVRedsFan]

This has to be the most bizzare game I've seen in years. What the heck is wrong with the Cardinals?

[Degenerate39]

Someone needs to tell Stubby that speed kills

[Brutus]

Whoa, Stubbs = fast.

I prefer to think of it as fast = Stubbs

[Brutus]

This has to be the most bizzare game I've seen in years. What the heck is wrong with the Cardinals?

They ran into the buzzsaw that is the Reds.

[Degenerate39]

This has to be the most bizzare game I've seen in years. What the heck is wrong with the Cardinals?

They already clinched the divison so maybe that has something to do with their poor play right now

[_Sir_Charles_]

This has to be the most bizzare game I've seen in years. What the heck is wrong with the Cardinals?

Nothing. The Reds are the problem. They're simply playing good ball. But since it's not against the Pirates and Astros...it must be the other team playing poorly. :D I keed, I keed.

[HeatherC1212]

Wow, this is SO WEIRD. Why is Smoltz giving the Reds dugout such an evil eye right now?! :eek:

And for the record, I am not a threat to Joey. Why would you say that?! ;) I've met him all ready and he was wonderful and very sweet. I'm not going to stop being his #1 fangirl here. You guys don't need to worry unless you're sitting next to me at a game when he's up to bat....and you'll just need some earplugs, LOL ;)

[SirFelixCat]

LOL @ Smoltz upset at Dusty for stealing in the 3rd inning.

Dusty's response? "It's the third *expletive* inning!"

[HeatherC1212]

Nothing. The Reds are the problem. They're simply playing good ball. But since it's not against the Pirates and Astros...it must be the other team playing poorly. :D I keed, I keed.

You rock. :thumbup: :cool:

Smoltz isn't happy that the Reds are beating him.....that is freaking HILARIOUS considering we're going nowhere in October and they're on their way to the postseason, LOL :laugh:

[WVRedsFan]

See the jawing between Dusty and Smoltz? That stolen base combined with the baseballs have him upset. Poor baby, spoiled by too much success, i guess.

[WVRedsFan]

They ran into the buzzsaw that is the Reds.

Yeah :), but I was referring to the dog and pony show that was LaRussa and Duncan and Smoltz' throwing the balls into the Reds dugout.

And with that the first hit of the night for StL happens.

[HeatherC1212]

I'm thinking more than a few annoying Cards fans came to GABP this week hoping to see the guys clinch here. Too bad they did that all ready and are close to getting hammered for two games in a row and for the record, I hope the Reds keep pouring it on the Cards tonight! Make those fans more annoyed than Smoltz is right now, LOL :laugh:

[HeatherC1212]

Big Al singles to get a run in and the stupid Cards fans start cheering again.

Shut them up again Bronson! ;)

[Brutus]

Yeah :), but I was referring to the dog and pony show that was LaRussa and Duncan and Smoltz' throwing the balls into the Reds dugout.

And with that the first hit of the night for StL happens.

It's certainly providing for some good entertainment.

[HeatherC1212]

I'm glad Thom has someone to talk to tonight but I wish it could have been Chris Welsh instead. Brantley's voice sometimes puts me to sleep, LOL ;)

[HeatherC1212]

Holliday K's for Bronson's fifth K of the night and the second out of the inning.

[HeatherC1212]

Colby Rasmus looks like a little kid after seeing Big Al and Holliday in this inning. :laugh:

And he pops out to Janish for the third out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

37 strikes 15 balls for Arroyo. Doesn't look like Bronson's having problems with the balls.

Nice grab by Janish...the kid's got some range. Shallow center.

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson at 54 pitches.
Smoltz at 81 pitches. :eek:

Joey leads off the bottom of the fourth inning. :)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow, why are they leaving Smoltz in there? He's looked horrible.

Votto up. Grounded out to Poo Holes

[HeatherC1212]

Joey grounds out to Big Al for out #1.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brandon trying to help out Smoltz. First pitch fly out to center.

[HeatherC1212]

Apparently the baseballs have felt slick tonight to Smoltz and that's what his whole issue has been with them. You know what, we don't control the weather or YOUR hands Smoltz so man up and figure out a way to deal with it. ;)

And of course the Reds go down in order for this inning. Blargh!

[_Sir_Charles_]

6 pitch inning? Come ON guys. He's struggling to throw strikes and we let him off the hook like THAT? *sigh*

6-1 Reds after 4....and I'm complaining. *grin*

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bronson: 4 ip, 2 hits, 1 run, 0 bb, 5 k's ... S O L I D

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson gets the first guy to pop out to Joey but I don't remember which Card it was, LOL ;)

LaRue grounds out to Rolen for out #2.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ludwick pops out to Votto in foul ground. 1 down.

LaRue grounds out to Rolen...nice play by Scott. 2 down

[HeatherC1212]

Brendan Ryan's pornstache is a little disturbing but I will always be thankful to him for giving me one of my fave signature lines of this year, LOL :laugh:

SirCharles-I will gladly give the PBP back to you since my show is coming on in about twenty minutes. :)

Joey catches the last out of the inning. :)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Another foul pop up to Joey to end the inning. "1-2-3 Bronson" Say it loud, say it proud! "1-2-3 Bronson!" :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

SirCharles-I will gladly give the PBP back to you since my show is coming on in about twenty minutes. :)

No problem, I've got 3 squeaky clean girls. And here I was thinking the Reds were your "show". ;)

[Chip R]

Whoa, Stubbs = fast.


Like a marsupial.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Big Sweat sighting. Reyes in.

[_Sir_Charles_]

This club is really hustling. Bruce nearly beat that one out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Soft line out to Rasmus by Nix. Dennys making quick work

[_Sir_Charles_]

Just out of curiosity...anybody think we'll pass the Brewers for 3rd place? I vote yes

[Chip R]

RFS' favorite pitcher is in. Dennys Reyes.

[HeatherC1212]

No problem, I've got 3 squeaky clean girls. And here I was thinking the Reds were your "show". ;)

They are until 9 PM when I have a must see appointment to check out Erik McCormick's guest star turn on L&O: SVU. ;)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hanigan works a walk. I know he's struggled in the second half, but I really like his patience at the plate.

[HeatherC1212]

Just out of curiosity...anybody think we'll pass the Brewers for 3rd place? I vote yes

If the Brewers would just cooperate and start losing a little more, I think we'd all ready be there but they've been winning some games too. I do think we'll either be tied with them or ahead of them by the end of the season though. I'd love to see our guys get 79 or 80 wins this year. :)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bronson strikes out to end the 5th.

6-1 Reds

[_Sir_Charles_]

Halladay no hitter thru 5

[_Sir_Charles_]

If the Brewers would just cooperate and start losing a little more, I think we'd all ready be there but they've been winning some games too. I do think we'll either be tied with them or ahead of them by the end of the season though. I'd love to see our guys get 79 or 80 wins this year. :)

2 L's in a row going into tonight. :beerme:

[HeatherC1212]

Halladay no hitter thru 5

Ahhh, so THAT'S what happened to Boston's offense tonight! I was wondering why that scores seemed so lopsided and that explains that one. That's a tough lineup to no hit! :eek:

[nate]

Like a marsupial.

Sans pouch.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Thurston PH'ing....Bronson promptly strikes him out.

Schumaker out on first pitch line out to Janish. Oops, sorry, second pitch.

[HeatherC1212]

Nice play by Janish there to finally get Shumaker out before Bronson throws half his pitching arsenol at him for the third time. ;)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Sans pouch.

Do you know that for certain? Eh? :O)

[HeatherC1212]

Bronson still dealing! :)

[VR]

I wonder if this gem will be marginalized as 'a worthless September start' by Arroyo.

It's really, really scary how good he's been. Really.

[_Sir_Charles_]

DeRosa grounds out to Janish. Hmmm...didn't I just recently say this?

"1-2-3 BRONSON!" :D

[mbgrayson]

After 5 and a half: Reds 6, Cards 1

Arroyo is at 72 pitches, 51 strikes, with 6 Ks and 0 BBs.

[HeatherC1212]

Anyone else think Tony LaRussa is buttering up the umpires just in case he gets this crew again during the playoffs? ;)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Josh Kinney pitching. Stubbs, Janish & Votto due up.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Deep flyout by Stubbs to Rasmus in center. Not much in terms of results, but he's getting great wood on the ball.

[_Sir_Charles_]

There we go! Janish with a double!

[nate]

Do you know that for certain? Eh? :O)

I'm pretty sure Stubbs is pouchless.

[HeatherC1212]

This Cards pitcher looks like their version of Daniel Ray Herrera (aka, he doesn't look very tall).

YAY for Janish hitting a double! :)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Votto ROBBED! Nice play by the Cards SS Ryan. Janish advances to third.

[HeatherC1212]

Brendan Ryan is now in my doghouse for throwing out Joey on that play. :thumbdown

Off to L&O:SVU......;)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brandon flies out to center to end the inning. It's getting tight for that 100 RBI quest for Phillips. Holding at 95 for quite a while now.

[Chip R]

Brendan Ryan is now in my doghouse for throwing out Joey on that play. :thumbdown

Off to L&O:SVU......;)

How can you be mad at someone with a sweet pornstache like that? It's not as sweet as Javy's but it's impressive.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Pujols flies out to Bruce
Holliday grounds out to Rolen

2 down. 78 pitches for Bronson. 1 out away from the club record.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Halladay allowed a hit.

[_Sir_Charles_]

2 out double by Rasmus.

[HeatherC1212]

How can you be mad at someone with a sweet pornstache like that? It's not as sweet as Javy's but it's impressive.

Pornstaches actually scare me......and yes I know that makes me weird, LOL :eek:

[nate]

How can you be mad at someone with a sweet pornstache like that? It's not as sweet as Javy's but it's impressive.

He's nearing Geraldo Rivera territory.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ludwick pops out to Votto to end the inning. 7 innings of 1 run 3 hit ball from Arroyo. All you can do is sit back and enjoy it.

Oh yeah, 6 punchouts and 0 walks. For those interested in such things. :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Scott grounds out to his counterpart at third for the 1st out.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bruce flies out to center on the first pitch. 2 down for Nix

[_Sir_Charles_]

Short pop out to Holliday sits the Reds down 1-2-3. Nice inning from Kinney

[_Sir_Charles_]

Ankiel pinch hitting for LaRue

Deep flyout to Stubby at the wall. He may have struggled this year, but he's got some serious pop.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Single by Ryan. Hit #4

[WVRedsFan]

He's nearing Geraldo Rivera territory.
More like Harry Reems and we'll leave it at that :).

[_Sir_Charles_]

Has any pitcher looked better in the second half than Arroyo? In all of MLB?

Inning ending ground ball. YESSIRREE!

[HeatherC1212]

Hey, I like seeing a YESSIREE posted here. :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

Brad Thompson pitching. Arroyo with a helmet on. If he gets the CG, it'll be #4 for him. Tying him for the league lead.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hanigan popped out to the catcher Pagnozzi

[_Sir_Charles_]

Arroyo flies out to right. 2 down.

[HeatherC1212]

Did Stubbs just beat out another infield hit??! :eek:

L&O on a commercial break. ;)

[Degenerate39]

Man o' man he's fast

[_Sir_Charles_]

Stubbs beats out ANOTHER one. Wow. That's impressive...pouch or no pouch. :O)

[nate]

Have I ever mentioned that Stubbs is fast?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Janish pops out to Holliday to end the inning. 6-1 Reds heading to the ninth. Bronson goes for the CG. That's one heck of a way to end his season. Let's go Bronson...SHUT 'EM DOWN!

[HeatherC1212]

GO BRONSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

First walk of the night. Darn.

[TheNext44]

If Stubbs can continue to get infield hits on normal groundballs like he's been doing lately, he could be real offensive force.

[_Sir_Charles_]

104 pitches for Arroyo. Greene pinch running for Glaus. DeRosa up.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Would it not have been great if Bronson would've tossed out the ball in fake disgust after he walked Glaus. :O)

[_Sir_Charles_]

Masset & CoCo warming up.

DeRosa flies out to Bruce. Is Dusty yanking him?

[_Sir_Charles_]

111 pitches. Pujols up. Yep, Bronson's done.

*stands up and applauds* Great, great second half.

[HeatherC1212]

Why does Bronson coming out of the game with Big Al coming up soon make me nervous? :eek:

Nice job Bronson! I hope the bullpen locks it down for you tightly. *attempts to not bite nails* :eek:

[_Sir_Charles_]

Masset in to shut it down.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Single to right for Albert.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Aargh! Almost a Yessirree. Holliday beats it out. 2 down. 1st & 3rd. Rasmus up.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Bottom of the ninth, Red Sox trying to rally. Down 12-0. :O)

Yanks, Sox & Cubs...I thoroughly enjoy watching all 3 of them lose. Guilty pleasure.

[HeatherC1212]

Would that just be a YESSI then if they didn't quite get the out at first? ;)

[BuckeyeRedleg]

BP looks like he's either pouting out there or tired.

[HeatherC1212]

This picture is a riot, LOL :laugh: (Caption this anyone?!)

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091001/capt.bd2be39f88a746d4b4ab6a1baee123e1.cardinals_re ds_baseball_csb105.jpg

[Degenerate39]

I thought I saw Russell Brand in the stands. I'm guessing it wasn't him though

[_Sir_Charles_]

Hmmm....Rasmus walked. Bases loaded for Ludwick.

[HeatherC1212]

COME ON MASSET. :eek:

[_Sir_Charles_]

And this one belongs to the Reds!

Strikeout to end it! 6-1 Redlegs!

[HeatherC1212]

Reds win!! I had to go check what was going on and I caught the high fives. :D

What's with the gum on a random player's hat during the post game high fives?!? Ramon has it tonight, LOL :laugh:

[mbgrayson]

Bronson Arroyo ends up very well indeed. His final 2009 stats are:

15 wins, 13 losses, 3.84 ERA, 220 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 127 Ks, 65 BBs, 31 HRs allowed.

[HeatherC1212]

That is AWESOME for Bronson! What a way to end the year and since we don't face Toronto next year, maybe he can have a strong full season next year! :D

[HeatherC1212]

Joey sets the club doubles mark for the month of September in the game tonight which I actually didn't know until just now, LOL :laugh:

[Rounding Third]

What happened between Dusty and Smoltz?

[mbgrayson]

What happened between Dusty and Smoltz?

Thom and Cowboy seemed to think it had to do with Stubbs stealing second in the third inning when the Reds were already up 6-0.

[Tony Cloninger]

That was payback for all the outside pitches he and Glavine and Maddux got during the 90's in Atlanta.

[TheNext44]

Thom and Cowboy seemed to think it had to do with Stubbs stealing second in the third inning when the Reds were already up 6-0.

Which is BS. A 6 run lead in the third in nothing. Did Smoltz expect the Cardinals to stop trying to score after that?

[WVPacman]

What happened between Dusty and Smoltz?

They asked Smoltz,that question and he would'nt answer it:rolleyes:.He went on to say that those balls was the worst that he ever pitched with in his career.He said the balls was'nt rubbed down like the ump is suppose to do.He said they were brand new.He was then asked the question that does some pitchers prefer pitching with slick balls and he said yes and he guessed that Bronson was one of thos pitchers b/c he shut down the Cards:rolleyes:. He might as well just came out and said that "the reds organization done something with the balls so the cards would lose" b/c thats what he was thinking.

Larussa was asked about the balls and he would'nt even answer the question.He said I an't answering the question and the only thing that I will say is that the reds scored more runs than we did!! Then he only answered two more questions and walked off. SORE LOSERS!!!!!

[TheNext44]

The Reds are now officially one one game away from 3rd place!

[CTA513]

From Stltoday.com:


Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, who raised the issue of what he termed unrubbed baseballs with Culbreth and crew chief Gary Cederstrom on the field, wasn't so generous in assessing Arroyo's success with the same baseballs Smoltz was using.

Duncan, who said the umpires told him the baseballs indeed were rubbed up, said Arroyo was able to deal with the issue because "I'm sure he had pine tar on his cap. He didn't have any problem getting a grip. Balls like that can generate a lot more movement than a slick ball that hasn't been rubbed up."

Asked if he had seen Arroyo go to his cap, Duncan said, "Just every pitch."

Then Duncan said, "That's not the point. The point is that a pitcher should never be able to have control over how a ball is rubbed up, whether it's more or less. And since the umpires don't rub the balls up and their clubhouse guys do, I'm sure he had some control over it."

Duncan said he didn't and wouldn't ask the umpires to investigate Arroyo's head gear. "It's gamesmanship," Duncan said.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa obliquely said, "There's a way to improve your grip. The balls weren't slick for (Arroyo). There's probably a reason why they weren't slick for him. Different fingertips or something. I don't know."


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/prepsports/story/2DE2EA84A70D00BD8625764200139BFC?OpenDocument


If they thought Arroyo was cheating then they should have told the umpires instead of crying to the media after the game.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I'd personally like to hear what Bronson has to say about all this. We know he won't pull any punches.

[HeatherC1212]

Here you go...some words from Bronson in Fay's recent blog entry (http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/):


Bronson Arroyo’s pine tar incident won’t rank with George Brett’s, but it perked up a slow morning in the Reds clubhouse. This is from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, who raised the issue of what he termed unrubbed baseballs with (Fieldin) Culbreth and crew chief Gary Cederstrom on the field, wasn’t so generous in assessing Arroyo’s success with the same baseballs (John) Smoltz was using.

Duncan, who said the umpires told him the baseballs indeed were rubbed up, said Arroyo was able to deal with the issue because “I’m sure he had pine tar on his cap. He didn’t have any problem getting a grip. Balls like that can generate a lot more movement than a slick ball that hasn’t been rubbed up.”

Smoltz walked five hitters last night after walking three in 34 innings with the Cardinals. He blamed the baseballs, saying they had not but rubbed properly. That led to Duncan’s accusation about Arroyo.

“I guarantee when I pitch against the Cardinals next year, I’ll call over and tell Dave Duncan I’m wearing a brand new hat,” Arroyo said.

Reds pitching Dick Pole: “That must have meant (Dennys) Reyes, (Josh) Kinney and (Brad) Thompson were using pine tar, too. They didn’t have any trouble throwing the ball over the plate.”

Reyes, Kinney and Thompson pitched the final innings for the Cardinals. Reyes walked one, the other walked none.

Balls are rubbed with dirt by clubhouse workers.

Arroyo was amused by the controversy.

“The only reason he said that is I’ve been wearing this thing all season,” Arroyo said.

He showed me his hat. It’s stained on the bill.

“That’s what happens. It’s from playing in every other park where there’s so much mud on the balls that that black stuff comes off on young fingers every time. I guess he said I went to my hat time every time. Yeah, I grab my (crotch) and do 8,000 other twitches. What you want me to do about it? That’s how I pitch.”

“The funny thing is normal switch out hats. But I didn’t switch hats because it wasn’t hot enough and it wasn’t soaking wet.”

Arroyo said he’s dealt with balls that were hard to grip, particularly at Yankee Stadium in October.

“That’s just the way it is,” he said. “You find a way to pitch. . . I don’t know I thought I had the day off.”